Holographic label success stories from Amazon, Uflex and Big Bull Rice! | 17-02-2025 |

Holographic labels have been around for a long time and are often overlooked as a first line of defence against counterfeiting. Of course, these days, there are highly sophisticated holographics and often they are used in alignment with other smart security technologies such as NFC and QR codes. However as a cost effective and easy to apply initial security measure they continue to be a highly successful anti-counterfeit measure – as three recent stories sent to AIPIA remind us. 

Amazon, as one of the world’s largest online marketplaces, unfortunately, has also become a hub for counterfeit goods. Unscrupulous sellers use deceptive tactics to pass off fake items as the real thing, from electronics and fashion accessories to health and beauty products. For consumers, buying counterfeit goods can lead to unsafe experiences, wasted money and a loss of trust in online shopping. Holographic labels offer a powerful tool to help consumers instantly verify authenticity, says AIPIA member, 3DAG, a leading exponent of nano and holographic technology.

While Amazon has taken several steps to address this issue—such as requiring transparency programs and implementing anti-counterfeit technologies—it’s still difficult for consumers to identify counterfeits by just looking at product images or reading descriptions. So holographic labels, can incorporate advanced visual and functional features that are difficult to replicate without specialized expertise. High-security holograms can feature intricate designs, microtext, and serialized codes that offer both visual confirmation and digital verification of authenticity.

Many holographic labels today are integrated with a QR code or NFC chip that provides digital verification. Scanning these codes with a smartphone connects to an official webpage that confirms the product’s authenticity. Some holograms include self-destructing elements that change or destroy upon tampering attempts, making it obvious if a label has been removed or altered. 

With the rise of counterfeit goods on Amazon, holographic security labels have emerged as one of the most effective tools for protecting consumers and brands. Additionally, holographic labels contribute to supply chain transparency. Integrating holograms with blockchain-based tracking makes it easy for brands to manage stock authenticity and for consumers to verify real products.

NEXT: According to Jeevaraj Gopal Pillai, director, sustainability, president, flexible packaging and new product development, UFlex, counterfeit pharmaceuticals pose a severe threat to public health, brand integrity, and regulatory frameworks. The illicit trade of fake drugs, which has grown in both scale and sophistication, demands robust countermeasures to protect consumers and secure the supply chain. Anti-counterfeit packaging has emerged as a critical strategy to address this challenge.

In response Uflex has developed advanced solutions, including integrating overt and covert features in packaging. Holographic films are employed at various levels of sophistication to enhance security. Overt features, visible to the naked eye, enable consumers to verify authenticity effortlessly. These include standard holographic films which is Level 1. Customized holographic films with brand-specific patterns as Level 2 and advanced holographic films with Fresnel lenses for unique, replication-resistant designs as Level 3. 

Covert features, on the other hand, remain hidden and require specialized tools for verification, such as micro text, hidden text, and UV ink printing that reveals details under ultraviolet light. Together, these overt and covert features provide a robust, multi-layered solution to ensure product authenticity and combat counterfeiting effectively, added Pillai.

FINALLY: Big Bull Rice, a leading rice brand in Nigeria , recently introduced holographic seal on its packaging as a strategic move to bolster the confidence of distributors across Nigeria. This seal is considered a critical step in maintaining the integrity of the brand against market counterfeiting.

'Our distributors are the backbone of our business, and their trust in our products is invaluable. The launch of the holographic seal on Big Bull Rice has been a significant step in ensuring authenticity and quality, and the response from our distributors across Nigeria has been incredibly encouraging,' Probal Bhattacharya, chief marketing officer, TGI Group, explained.

He stated further that the introduction of the security feature has helped to secure Big Bull Rice's position as a trusted choice among both distributors and consumers. According to him, the holographic seal is designed to be a visible assurance of quality, making it easier for distributors to verify the authenticity of each bag of rice before it reaches the market.